Country music's Trace Adkins joins effort to preserve Civil War battlefield land

GETTYSBURG, Pa. — Country music star Trace Adkins became passionate about Civil War history in 1983, when he stood in the trenches of a Vicksburg battle site, once occupied by the 31st Louisiana Infantry. It moved him to tears.

That experience is one of the main reasons why Adkins is joining the Civil War Trust, as it attempts to preserve 20,000 acres of land over the next five years around the country and in Gettysburg, coinciding with the 150th anniversary observance of the American Civil War. The war was fought from 1861-1865.

"It was a spiritual experience," Adkins said regarding his visit to Vicksburg. "You can't teach it in a classroom," he continued. "The only way to you experience it is to be there, where the history took place."

Adkins joined Civil War Trust dignitaries Thursday morning at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg, where the nonprofit organization officially launched its "Campaign 150" initiative. The campaign aims to generate $40 million from the private sector to preserve new Civil War sites, and enhance others, like Gettysburg.

"We have never set our sights so high," Civil War Trust Chairman Henry Simpson said Thursday morning. "This weekend in Gettysburg, we mark a major anniversary," Simpson said regarding the 148th anniversary of the battle, that occurred July 1-3 in 1863, "and over the next four years, we observe the sesquicentennial."

Officials declined to name properties in the 6,000-acre Gettysburg Battlefield that they're targeting, but Gettysburg National Military Park spokeswoman Katie Lawhon noted that 70 parcels remain unprotected, and subject to private development. One out of every six acres is not protected, representing about 900 acres.

"The land that we save today will pay greater dividends than anything else," said Simpson, calling land preservation a "lasting and fitting tribute in protecting the sites where the war was decided."

Adkins described the fundraising campaign as the "last, best chance to focus people's attention on this time in our history," citing the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War. "Let's remember the sacrifice, courage and bravery that is that generation's legacy," he said regarding the 600,000-plus Union and Confederate soldiers that died in the five-year war.

"What will our legacy be? Will we allow it to be forgotten?" asked Adkins, citing a Civil War site in Franklin, Tenn.

"That site is a sad commentary on the preservation of battlefields," said Adkins. "The challenge is trying to preserve and maintain them, like Gettysburg."

Simpson pointed out that, because of preservation efforts by groups Civil War Trust and Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association, "Gettysburg represents what it looked like in 1863, closer to what it did 75 years ago."

Pulitzer Prize-winning historian James McPherson was also a guest speaker Thursday morning.

The Civil War Trust has preserved 812 acres of land in Gettysburg, out of 6,000, according to officials, and has protected 30,000 acres in 20 states.

Lawhon noted that there 70 parcels within the park that are privately-owned, and the park has been receiving "more calls from land-owners, so we look at these opportunities." The park and preservation groups are targeting several parcels along the Baltimore Pike, near the new $103 million Battlefield Visitor Center for preservation, as well as two 100-acre farms, near Benner's Hill and Willoughby Run.

There is also a 90-acre parcel adjacent to Barlow's Knoll, as well as smaller parcels along Doubleday Avenue.

Preservation groups teamed earlier this year to purchase 95 acres of the former Gettysburg Country Club, which is within the boundaries of the park. Park officials plan to restore the land to its Civil War-era appearance, once funding is available.

The Gettysburg Battlefield was listed as an "endangered" site last year by the Civil War Trust, citing a proposed casino project, hotel near a private and national cemetery, and other privately owned lands within the park.

Featured Story

Get 'Today's Front Page' in your inbox

This newsletter is sent every morning at 6 a.m. and includes the morning's top stories, a full list of obituaries, links to comics and puzzles and the most recent news, sports and entertainment headlines.

optionalCheck here if you do not want to receive additional email offers and information.See our privacy policy

Thank you for signing up for 'Today's Front Page'

To view and subscribe to any of our other newsletters, please click here.